She boarded the Titanic at Southampton with her husband Mr Charles Melville Hays and her maid Anne Perreault. They were joined on board by their daughter Orian Davidson and her husband Thornton. The family were returning to their home in Montreal, PQ. Travelling in first class, Mr and Mrs Hays occupied cabin B-69.

Mr Hays died in the sinking but Clara was rescued in Lifeboat 3.

The Hays' were travelling as guests of the White Star's managing director, Bruce Ismay. When she was asked to sue the White Star Line for damages, she imperiously replied, "When one is a guest, one does not sue one's host."

Clara Hays
(Courtesy: Orian B. Hallor / Alan Hustak, Canada)

After the disaster Clara Gregg Hays spent more time at her summer home in Cushing Island Maine, than she did in Montreal.

She died in Montreal 1 February 1955 and was buried next to her husband Charles Melville Hays at Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal.